First Child (running to Mrs. Fayth). Oh, here I am! (He clasps her hand; clings to her affectionately.)
Mrs. Fayth (to Second Child). Run yonder and play, Maidie.
(Second Child obeys prettily, and joins the spirits above. Mrs. Fayth and the First Child move slowly to the front of the landscape.)
The Child. See that poor man under the tree! I think he’s a hungry man—don’t you?
(He breaks away from Mrs. Fayth, and runs to Dr. Thorne; examines the exhausted man attentively, bending forward with his hands on his little knees. Mrs. Fayth advances slowly, with her mysterious smile; she does not speak.)
The Child (touches Dr. Thorne timidly; after a silence speaks, ceremoniously). Would you like a peach, or do you like plums instead? I’ll pick you one.
Dr. Thorne (arousing). Who spoke to me? Oh, it is a child. (Sinks back feebly.)
(The Child gathers some fruit from the trees, and brings water from the brook in the cup of an annunciation lily, which holds the liquid perfectly; offers the food and drink to the exhausted man. Mrs. Fayth, still unseen by Dr. Thorne, stands quite near, nodding and smiling at The Child. The Child looks to her for encouragement and direction.)
Dr. Thorne (reviving). Thank you, my little man. (Leans on his elbow, and gazes steadfastly at The Child; rises to a sitting posture.)
The Child (creeps nearer to Dr. Thorne, and, after a moment’s hesitation, throws his little length full on the moss at the man’s feet, and scrutinizes him seriously, putting his chin into his hand as he does so; speaks sympathetically). Do you feel better now?